Parkside Church’s Christmas focuses on “The Main Thing”

Michael Kirby/Auburn JournalSenior Pastor Tony Jones leads a congregation at Parkside Church that puts an emphasis at Christmas on becoming “the gift” to others through thoughtful service, prayers and support.

Editor’s Note: This is the second in a series of Question-and-Answer feature stories that highlight Auburn’s “Churches at Christmas.” Today, the Journal takes a look at Parkside Church of the Nazarene. Tony Jones is the senior pastor. Other churches will be featured throughout the week.

Editor’s Note: This is the second in a series of Question-and-Answer feature stories that highlight Auburn’s “Churches at Christmas.” Today, the Journal takes a look at Parkside Church of the Nazarene. Tony Jones is the senior pastor. Other churches will be featured throughout the week.

1. In what ways does your church focus on the birth of Christ?

During the Christmas season we participate in the rituals of Advent by making the advent candles part of our Sunday worship services. Focusing on Christ’s gifts of hope, peace, joy and love lead us to the lighting of the Christ candle on Christmas Eve. We celebrate “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given “Isaiah 9:6 We have been given a gift of salvation, grace and mercy through the birth of Christ.”

2. What are you offering, in terms of traditional and innovative experiences for church-goers at this time of year? What is on your church’s calendar leading up to Christmas, including Christmas Eve and Dec. 23 services?

This year, we are celebrating with our church family, extended family and the community by hosting our choir and children’s presentations at 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 23. Our Christmas Eve service will open with fellowship over Christmas cookies and hot chocolate at 5:30 p.m. An acoustic candlelight service with communion will follow to quiet our hearts and excitement in celebration of the gift of baby Jesus.

3. How many members does your church have? What is your church address? How long has your church been serving the community?

Parkside Church is located at 3885 Richardson Drive in Auburn. Our congregation of 400-plus has been serving Auburn and beyond since 1943, when our church started as a tent revival on Cherry Avenue and Lincoln Way.

4. In what ways does your church and its members serve the needy in our community?

Our location and resources offer us the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus through several programs including our Friday night Road 2 Recovery services and Chana High School lunch program. In addition, we partner with the Gathering Inn and the Auburn Interfaith Food Closet to provide resources for the homeless in our area.

5. The retail side of Christmas seems to be seeping into our lives earlier every year. What are your thoughts on the commercial side of Christmas?

We believe it is about keeping the “Main Thing the Main Thing.” The main thing is a focus on celebrating the birth of Christ and blessing others. Instead of dealing with all the stress of shopping and buying gifts, it’s that we become a gift to someone through thoughtful service, prayers and support.